Hailing from Dodoma, Tanzania, Grace Mbiaji has come to America to further her studies. After completing undergrad and spending her life in East Africa, she has transitioned to the states but more importantly â the South. Throughout her tenure, sheâs learned what is like to live in a new society, adapt and learn just how much she misses home.
GRACE MBIAJI: I hope you understand my explanations. English isnât my first language and I want this to be good.
NOIR MAGAZINE: Iâm sure that wonât be a problem. What is your native language?
At home, in my country, we speak Swahili.
Whatâs home like for you? Were you raised primarily in the city or a village?
I was born in Dodoma, Tanzania but raised in Arusha, Tanzania. I didnât really grow up at home, but in school, in the village. My home in Dodoma was in the city.
How old were you when you started school?
I began kindergarten, well primary school, at age five. Schooling in my country goes primary, secondary, high school and then college. Secondary education can be classified into two levels: O-level [ordinary] and A-level [advanced].
How old are you now?
Semoria! A lady never tells her age, but I will say it ranges between twenty-three and twenty-seven.
After completing the first three phases of education in your country, you went to college. What was that experience like for you?
I completed four years of University at Ardhi University in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. There I majored in Civil Engineering. Dar is the capital city of my country; I enjoyed being in the country I grew up in.
How long have you been in the land of the free and home of the brave?
Sofar, Iâve been here for nine months. Iâm studying engineering at South Carolina State University as a graduate student.
How did you get to America?
I knew I wanted to come to get exposure and see what opportunities I could come across. I already had experienced education, so I was somewhat familiar with the system.
What brought you to a HBCU in Orangeburg, South Carolina? Out of all the places you could have gone, what made this your final decision?
Honestly, I could have gone anywhere. I applied for all the scholarships I could find to send me to the U.S. Once I received one, I started researching and ran across South Carolina State University. Plus, I didnât want to walk into school with a whole bunch of white people.
Are you happy with your choice?
Most definitely, Iâm enjoying a new experience.
Do you believe there is a big difference between Africans and Black Americans? In terms of culture and lifestyle.
Yes, in every way. Life and way of living all go back to culture. Thatâs very important to us at home. Your praying, your friends, your food â itâs different. Your country is more lenient with transportation I see too. You guysâ infrastructure and technology are advanced.
Specifically, what situation can you recall since being here that made you say, âOh Iâm definitely not home anymoreâ?
The way younger people speak to those older than them. Itâs like they get to say whatever they want. Just like in class â students speak to the teacher however. Itâs like what, you can say that? Oh no. Thatâs not what we do where I am from. We are very respectful in my country. We treat the teacher with importance because thatâs how we learn.
If youâve been paying attention to Americasâ President and current events, communication and respect does seem to be a nation problem. Speaking of difference in culture, how do you like American cuisine?
I donât! Itâs terrible [chuckles]. No, honestly though, itâs not bad but itâs not the best. Thatâs why Iâm sharing the recipe for Pilau â you need it.
Touche, but donât act like you donât like a good burger. Everyone likes burgers.
Yeah, youâre right. I do like burgers.
How has it been for you in the South? Have you experienced racism?
Being in South Carolina is something, Iâll say. I like it a little, but I have experienced racism.
How so?
I donât know how to explain it, but it was a feeling. A feeling Iâd not felt in my country. I was in line at a restaurant and a white woman was in front of me. The restaurant worker was white also. When it was my turn to be serviced, she didnât treat me the same.
How did that make you feel?
It was shocking. There are white people in my country and we donât interact like that. We treat people nice and kind. We donât care about skin. Weâre more about tribe.
Racism has been a constant battle for Black Americans. Often, they [we] joke about hoping on the boat and going back home. Do you think Black Americansâ would be welcome?
Of course! Enough people donât come back and visit the motherland. Every African-American should make it apparent to visit. Iâve never met a black person from America in my country â always white people. Although all life comes from Africa, I see more white people experiencing our culture than African-Americansâ.
As of right now, do you see yourself living here permanently or you miss home?
Oh no, for now, I would never live here permanently. I miss home terribly. I just want to finish my studies and go back.
How long does it take for you to get home?
It takes me twenty-eight hours to get home. A one-way ticket is $1,000. Round trip is around $2,000. It could be plus or minus but itâs around that range.
Itâs not hard to infer then that you donât go home often, huh?
Youâre right, I donât. Itâs so expensive and going home requires you to bring gifts back. The gifts are for the elders around me. It all can get expensive but, I wouldnât trade my culture for anything.
Whatâsone thing America has taught you?
How to adapt, in every way. Iâve learnedto adjust. Itâs so many different directions to go in this country. Anotherthing, Iâve met some good people here. But Iâve also lost some people too.America has been an experience and Iâm grateful for it.